Patent GB-702764-A (GB)
Title: Control system for electrically operated toy vehicles
IPC: A63H18/12
Filed: 1951-03-02
Abstract: 702.764. Electrically-operated toys. PREH, W., and PREH [nee MULLERI, A., [trading as PREH ELEKTROFEINMECHANISCHE WERKE]. March 2. 1951 [March 4, 1950], No. 5167/51. Class 132(3) A model vehicle system comprises an electrically driven vehicle running on and deriving current, by sliding contacts, from a surface consisting of a series of currentconducting portions of alternately different polarity wherein, in addition to the voltage for driving the vehicle, there is applied two control voltages, different from the driving voltage and one another, the controlling circuits of the vehicle having selective means whereby the control voltages actuate separate relays for steering the vehicle to left and right respectively. As shown, Fig. 1, the surface T comprises a series of squares of alternate polarities for engagement by contacts 1, 2, 3, 4 depending from the lower side of a vehicle V, at least two contacts engaging squares of different polarity. A rectifier arrangement, Fig. 2, supplies current to the driving motor 13 and the vehicle may be driven in a straight line at a constant or variable speeds. As shown in Fig. 3, the front wheels 15, 16 of the vehicle are connected by an axle 17 rotatably mounted at 18 and are held in the central position by springs 19 and swung to left and right by electro magnets 20, 21 respectively. When an alternating over-voltage is applied above that required to operate the motor 13, a relay 22 operates and when a normal direct voltage is applied relay 23 operates, A.C. choke 26 preventing operation of replay 23 by the alternating voltages. When a momentary alternating over-voltage is applied relay 22 closes contact 24, electro magnet 20 is energized and pulls axle 17 towards the left, contact 27 is closed and electro magnet 20 continues to obtain current through line 29 when the alternating voltage is returned to its normal value. Thus, the vehicle is steered to the left until the voltage is momentarily interrupted. Momentary application of a direct voltage operates relay 23, which continues to obtain current through line close contact 25, and electro magnet 21 is energized to. pull axle 17 to the right and close contact 28 so that electro magnet 21 29 until the voltage is momentarily interrupted. Alternatively, Fig. 3a, (not shown), a similar arrangement may be operated by pulses of appreciable duration. An arrangement in which a direct and alternating over-voltage may be used is also described, Fig. 4, (not shown), and condensers may be used as D.C. chokes, Fig. 6, (not shown). Four voltages may be used, Fig. 7, a normal alternating voltage to drive the motor, a direct over-voltage to reverse the motor, an alternating overvoltage and a normal direct voltage to steer the vehicle. A normal alternating voltage drives the motor 13 to move the vehicle forwards or backwards according to which of motor windings 48, 49 is in circuit but does not operate any relays. An alternating over-voltage applied to the surface operates relay 22, 54, 55 being A.C. chokes, which switches the voltage, by contact 24, to point 31, Fig. 3, to steer the vehicle to the left. A low direct voltage applied to the running surface operates relay 52 which switches the voltage, by contact 56, to point 33, Fig. 3, to steer the vehicle to the right. A direct over-voltage operates relays 22, 52, 53 and contact 57 of relay 53 which energizes magnet 60 to operate on armature 61 which advances a switching roller 64 through toothed wheel 62. Contacts 50, 51, 65 engage switching roller 64 and the first current impulse connects winding 49 in the circuit, the second current impulse rotates the roller 64 so that both contacts 50, 51 are insulated and the third current impulse places winding 48 in the circuit thus reversing the travel of the vehicle.